A LEADING Accrington Stanley supporter has vowed to appeal after being banned from attending games.

Jason Graham yesterday became the first Reds fan to be made subject to a banning order since the club regained football league status.

Graham, a leading member of the Accrington Stanley Ultras, said he was ‘gutted’ that Black-burn magistrates had seen fit to impose the order despite his previous good record.

He had also been supported by Stanley manager John Coleman and chief executive Rob Heys at an earlier hearing.

Graham, 37, of Avenue Parade, Accrington, yesterday pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer and police assault.

He was said to have intervened during the arrest of a fellow fan during the Accrington v Newcastle United cup match on August 25.

After the case, Graham claimed an 18-year-old member of the Ultras was being arrested by police for throwing a till roll.

But he said the club had sanctioned the activities of the group which were all designed to maximise the level of support for the players.

“The lad didn’t deserve to be arrested and I didn’t want to be the one to have to go and tell his mum he was in the police cells,” said Mr Graham.

“I have to accept that in trying to help him I resisted the officer and a technical assault was committed.

“I can’t accept that what I did merits the imposition of a banning order and I will be appealing that decision.”

Graham added: “The Ultras are Accrington Stanley through and through and we have the full support of the manager and directors of the club.

“We actively encourage youngsters to get involved in supporting the team in a positive way and we have no involvement in thuggery.

“I always thought football banning orders were for yobs, not for people who actually work hard to promote the proper support of the club.”

Magistrates at Blackburn yesterday ordered him to do 40 hours unpaid work and made him subject to a football banning order for three years.